Fantasy Baseball '08 Prospects, Sleepers, Keepers, all that good stuff

[Earlshog]

Okay who is going to have a bigger fantasy year Ted Lilly or Rich Harden?

[JPMNICK]

def harder

cecil fielder or big papi?

[BoondockSaint]

def harder

cecil fielder or big papi?

Papi. Cecil is retired.

[JerseySean]

def harder

cecil fielder or big papi?

I would go with Howard first. Harden will have a much bigger year

[Holes]

I would go with Lilly. Harden will be on the DL for more than half the year.
Lilly will not have as good a season as last year, but he will be more reliable than Harden.

[Earlshog]

def harder

cecil fielder or big papi?

is he playing in Japan?

Ha Ha I'd go with the Prince

[Earlshog]

See I could see Lilly winning 20 for the cubs this year. They are gonna score a ton of runs. Plus he gives you lots of K's.

Harden is so tempting, but I feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick that football at this point

[Holes]

See I could see Lilly winning 20 for the cubs this year. They are gonna score a ton of runs. Plus he gives you lots of K's.

Harden is so tempting, but I feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick that football at this point


If you really want Harden, I am sure you can take a flier on him very late in the draft. If someone else takes him early, let them have the headache.

I still like Gallardo even though he is getting his knee checked out. He should have 5 productive months.

[JerseySean]

If you really want Harden, I am sure you can take a flier on him very late in the draft. If someone else takes him early, let them have the headache.

I still like Gallardo even though he is getting his knee checked out. He should have 5 productive months.

Where should Liriano go in drafts?

[Marc with a c]

Where should Liriano go in drafts?

i'm guessing round 11-13ish.

i actually have him in my keeper league, and i am tempted to keep him as my last pick.

[Holes]

Liriano, if he ever makes it inside the US, would probably go somewhere in the early-middle rounds. Somewhere around the 8th round. He is coming off major surgery so that makes this year unpredictable.

Another guy that could be drafted around the same time as Liriano is Bret Myers. Personally, I don't like him. He was jerked around from starter to closer. He is going back to starter this year. Plus, he spent time on the DL last year with shoulder problems. I predict some more time on the DL for the merry prankster.

Of course, I could be wrong on all my predictions.

[cougarjake13]

phil humber

[walking joint]

don't touch Harden. he has so much talent, but is just a killer to own with the injuries. unless i can get him really, really late i'm not touching him this year. burned me to many times. Lilly was actually pretty good last year and i would expect similiar numbers. i think Lilly is the easy choice between the two. but me staying away from Harden after owning him year after year probably means huge year.

[sailor]

lilly's too busy fightin' 11 year old girls to have a big year.

[JerseySean]

phil humber

Stop it

[Earlshog]

Liriano, if he ever makes it inside the US, would probably go somewhere in the early-middle rounds. Somewhere around the 8th round. He is coming off major surgery so that makes this year unpredictable.

Another guy that could be drafted around the same time as Liriano is Bret Myers. Personally, I don't like him. He was jerked around from starter to closer. He is going back to starter this year. Plus, he spent time on the DL last year with shoulder problems. I predict some more time on the DL for the merry prankster.

Of course, I could be wrong on all my predictions.

No way Liarano lasts till the eigth round.

[Holes]

No way Liarano lasts till the eigth round.

How many pitchers do you think will go before him?

[Tallman388]

No way Liarano lasts till the eigth round.

I've already been in 2 drafts and both times Liriano went after the 12th round. Both times people took Chris Carpenter ahead of him. 8th round is awful early for a guy like Liriano.

[Earlshog]

I've already been in 2 drafts and both times Liriano went after the 12th round. Both times people took Chris Carpenter ahead of him. 8th round is awful early for a guy like Liriano.



Well he is probably top 25. But reality is he has top ten potential. I guess it really depends on your format, but no way would I let him slip out of the top ten pitchers he is a beast.

[Knowledged_one]

I do a half auction draft half regular draft

Salary Cap is $26.00 only 8 teams in my league so we use 16 major league teams

I can keep up to 3 players, one pitcher, one OF and one IF

I am thinking of keeping Lester for free, i believe his book value is $1.10 right now or i could keep Paul Byrd at $.10 when his book value is the same

May keep Casey Blake as an OF since he qualified there at $.90 when his book value is $1.60 i think

Also not sure about the IF to keep Kotchman at $.60 (book is $1.10) or maybe the SS for the Reds at $.20 when his book is $.90 i believe

My roster was hurting last year, i could keep David Wright though or maybe Beltran or Ryan Zimmerman

Any thoughts?

[spadanko]

I do a half auction draft half regular draft

Salary Cap is $26.00 only 8 teams in my league so we use 16 major league teams

I can keep up to 3 players, one pitcher, one OF and one IF

I am thinking of keeping Lester for free, i believe his book value is $1.10 right now or i could keep Paul Byrd at $.10 when his book value is the same

May keep Casey Blake as an OF since he qualified there at $.90 when his book value is $1.60 i think

Also not sure about the IF to keep Kotchman at $.60 (book is $1.10) or maybe the SS for the Reds at $.20 when his book is $.90 i believe

My roster was hurting last year, i could keep David Wright though or maybe Beltran or Ryan Zimmerman

Any thoughts?

You have to keep wright.. what will it cost you?

[Knowledged_one]

You have to keep wright.. what will it cost you?

I got him for $2.30 right now the prelim book value is: $3.60

I didnt realize how much of a steal he is for me I would save $1.30 on him

So maybe that solves it i can get a good savings on him and still have a good star

THanks for calling my attention to this

[Holes]

I do a half auction draft half regular draft

Salary Cap is $26.00 only 8 teams in my league so we use 16 major league teams

I can keep up to 3 players, one pitcher, one OF and one IF

I am thinking of keeping Lester for free, i believe his book value is $1.10 right now or i could keep Paul Byrd at $.10 when his book value is the same

May keep Casey Blake as an OF since he qualified there at $.90 when his book value is $1.60 i think

Also not sure about the IF to keep Kotchman at $.60 (book is $1.10) or maybe the SS for the Reds at $.20 when his book is $.90 i believe

My roster was hurting last year, i could keep David Wright though or maybe Beltran or Ryan Zimmerman

Any thoughts?

How do you determine which 16 teams to use?

[Knowledged_one]

There are 8 owners choices and 8 others they are:

Orioles, Nationals, Rockies, Twins, Indians, Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, Mariners, Dodgers, Reds, Angels, Cubs, Phillies, Brewers, and Tigers

8 AL and 8 NL

We vary from year to year, as in previous years we have had Atlanta, Giants, Cardinals, Blue Jays, White Sox, Oakland

Also the lineup is: 2 Catchers, 1 1b, 1 2b, 1 3b, 1 ss, 1 CI, 1 MI, 1 Utility, 5 OF, 5 SP, 4 RP

You set your lineup at the start of the week and that is what plays teh whole week

[Snoogans]

Willie Mayes Hayes. He doesnt steal so many bases since he bulked up to make his movie. But he has some pop now and plays solid defense. Basket catches, the like

[Knowledged_one]

Willie Mayes Hayes. He doesnt steal so many bases since he bulked up to make his movie. But he has some pop now and plays solid defense. Basket catches, the like

no way he wears too many gold chains plus made a movie with Jesse The Body Ventura

[Snoogans]

no way he wears too many gold chains plus made a movie with Jesse The Body Ventura

But he can steal home. Plus if he quits, you can take a totally different guy and just call him the same dude and people will say ehhh ok whatever, let him play

[Knowledged_one]

But he can steal home. Plus if he quits, you can take a totally different guy and just call him the same dude and people will say ehhh ok whatever, let him play

Well he was a great track runner at Columbia University

and a great running back at ESU

[Snoogans]

Well he was a great track runner at Columbia University

and a great running back at ESU

as a true freshman

and he out DJed Tupac

[Earlshog]

John Lester
Scott Olsen
Jerermy Guthrie

[Holes]

John Lester
Scott Olsen
Jerermy Guthrie

Baltimore is going to be horrible this year. How many wins can you expect from him? Two of the leagues I am count losses so I am staying away from Guthrie.

Lester could have a big year.

[cougarjake13]

Baltimore is going to be horrible this year. How many wins can you expect from him? Two of the leagues I am count losses so I am staying away from Guthrie.

Lester could have a big year.

65 wins and last place in the al east

[Holes]

65 wins and last place in the al east

I think they lose 100 games, so I am going with 62-100. They will finish 30 games behind the AL East champs NY Yankees.

[Earlshog]

Would you make this deal if you were me? I am in a 12 team league. We keep 7 players 2 rookies and an Impact (second year player)

The deal is I move up to the number one pick, where I can pick up Ian Kinsler or Kelly Johnson, who were not kept, I doubt they will make it all the way down to my pick , for my number one (11th overall) and Dustin Pedrioa (rookie keeper).

[Dingbat_Charlie]

Would you make this deal if you were me? I am in a 12 team league. We keep 7 players 2 rookies and an Impact (second year player)

The deal is I move up to the number one pick, where I can pick up Ian Kinsler or Kelly Johnson, who were not kept, I doubt they will make it all the way down to my pick , for my number one (11th overall) and Dustin Pedrioa (rookie keeper).


I'd stand pat with Pedroia and just take the best plumb that drops to you at #11.

[Holes]

I'd stand pat with Pedroia and just take the best plumb that drops to you at #11.

I agree. Stick with Pedroia and go with best available at 11.

[chubbyknuckles]

Okay who is going to have a bigger fantasy year Ted Lilly or Rich Harden?

fucking love lilly, he's been great with the cubs, but what if marquis goes to boston, gotta be a ? there

[chubbyknuckles]

Baltimore is going to be horrible this year. How many wins can you expect from him? Two of the leagues I am count losses so I am staying away from Guthrie.

Lester could have a big year.

And mazzone isnt on the o's anymore,he was huge for guthrie and bedard, i expect bedard to have an off year too, but safeco is a pitchers park so we'll see.

[Dingbat_Charlie]

And mazzone isnt on the o's anymore,he was huge for guthrie and bedard, i expect bedard to have an off year too, but safeco is a pitchers park so we'll see.

I think that might be overstating Mazzone's influence on Bedard. I'm an O's fan who has probably watched 90% of his starts since he's come into the league. I think it was more a matter of him staying healthy and putting it together on his own. He was just as dominant in 2006 before his injury, which hampered his 2nd half and brought his overall numbers down. I love the kid, and hated to see him go (though it was probably the right move for the franchise).

Guthrie I'm less familiar with, but a backslide from him wouldn't surprise me.

[Tallman388]

Dingbat, what are your thoughts on this potential Roberts trade? I've drafted him 2 years in a row and will try hard to get him again this year. Who does that leave for the O's offense besides guys like Markakis?

[Dingbat_Charlie]

Dingbat, what are your thoughts on this potential Roberts trade? I've drafted him 2 years in a row and will try hard to get him again this year. Who does that leave for the O's offense besides guys like Markakis?

It leaves very little. They are going to be awful for a while (at least). I think Roberts will produce wherever he lands but if you're in an AL only league you may want to hold off because it looks like a good chance he'll be traded now or before the deadline in July.

[cougarjake13]

my votes are for barry bonds and roger clemens

[underdog]

I need help, in a big way.

I'm in a dynasty league (I hold my entire roster over from season to season). My team is awful, but young, so I'm about 2 years away from competing for a championship. I have Penny and Beckett and people want them, and I have a guy trying to get them from me with everything he's got. This is the offer on the table now :

·Anderson, Brian N. CF CHW
·Baker, Scott SP MIN
·Duke, Zach SP PIT
·Hirsh, Jason SP COL
·Jones, Brandon OF ATL
·Moss, Brandon OF BOS

Plus his two rookie picks in the draft this year, for Brad Penny and Josh Beckett.

Penny is old and will probably not help me much in two years, so moving him is ok with me. Beckett worries me, as his injuries keep popping up, so I don't know where he'll be in two years.

Should I go for the trade? I get a LOT more youth and some pretty decent prospects.

[Snacks]

I need help, in a big way.

I'm in a dynasty league (I hold my entire roster over from season to season). My team is awful, but young, so I'm about 2 years away from competing for a championship. I have Penny and Beckett and people want them, and I have a guy trying to get them from me with everything he's got. This is the offer on the table now :

·Anderson, Brian N. CF CHW
·Baker, Scott SP MIN
·Duke, Zach SP PIT
·Hirsh, Jason SP COL
·Jones, Brandon OF ATL
·Moss, Brandon OF BOS

Plus his two rookie picks in the draft this year, for Brad Penny and Josh Beckett.

Penny is old and will probably not help me much in two years, so moving him is ok with me. Beckett worries me, as his injuries keep popping up, so I don't know where he'll be in two years.

Should I go for the trade? I get a LOT more youth and some pretty decent prospects.

absolutely not. first never take a Colorado pitcher no matter how good they are. duke has been horrible the past 2 years. anderson is solid but he is a 1 category guy.

you are not improving at all so why give away your players?

[walking joint]

absolutely not. first never take a Colorado pitcher no matter how good they are. duke has been horrible the past 2 years. anderson is solid but he is a 1 category guy.

you are not improving at all so why give away your players?

i'm with you...other then the Colorado pitcher part(not quite the same park anymore and I like Francis). you would sure get a bunch of players in return, but not one who will really help your team out much. your team would have to be really bad to consider those guys upgrades. if only 2 years away from competing my guess is Beckett and even Penny will help you more then any of those guys you pick up in the trade.

[underdog]

absolutely not. first never take a Colorado pitcher no matter how good they are. duke has been horrible the past 2 years. anderson is solid but he is a 1 category guy.

you are not improving at all so why give away your players?

Moss and Jones are the two guys I really had my eye on.

But I think you're right. I just don't feel good making this trade. I want to move Penny and Beckett while their values are high, but I have another guy interested in Beckett (and Vernon Wells) who has way better prospects.

[epo]

I would stash Brewers pitcher Carlos Villaneuva on your fantasy roster. This will be his first season in the rotation and could really breakout.

[underdog]

Alright, so I declined the Beckett/Penny trade, but I got this email (keep in mind that my team sucks and won't compete for 2 years - I want prospects; he'll also add rookie picks to the Beckett deal) :

If Beckett is in the deal I will go up to 6 players and these players (up to 4) can be included:
Brandon Moss
Brandon Jones
Scott Baker
Jason Hirsh
Delwyn Young
Edgar Gonzalez

If Beckett is not in the deal and it is just for penny I will go up to 3 players from this list:
Zach Duke
Jason Hammel
Ryan Shealey
Ryan Raburn
Brian Anderson
Dallas McPherson
Dan Johnson

Anyone have any suggestions?

[King Hippos Bandaid]

Alright, so I declined the Beckett/Penny trade, but I got this email (keep in mind that my team sucks and won't compete for 2 years - I want prospects; he'll also add rookie picks to the Beckett deal) :



Anyone have any suggestions?

Zack Greinke is starting to Mature

he had a good start against theTigers

[Marc with a c]

Zack Greinke is starting to Mature

he had a good start against the Royals

greinke got traded?

[King Hippos Bandaid]

greinke got traded?

damn it, you are quick

i edited that 5 seconds after

[K.C.]

Guys to keep an eye on in weeks to come

Adam Jones, OF, Orioles - big time five-tool potential. If he's still available in your league, get him and stash him now.

Michael Bourn, OF, Astros - the next Juan Pierre

Lastings Milledge, OF, Nationals - it's probably a little late...you could have probably got him late in the draft, or early on immediately after. If for some reason he's available, though, pick him up because he's in store for a big year.

Nick Blackburn, SP, Twins - the only caveat here is his rotation spot isn't set yet, but I expect him to continue to hit the ground running. Has some great potential.

Aki Iwamura, 2B/3B, Rays - I wouldn't add him yet, but I 'd keep tabs. People seem to have forgot he was a solid option last year before he got hurt. Could be a steal if you're weak at 2B or 3B.

Jack Cust, OF, Athletics - Very under the radar, cheap source of power. Add him as a 5th OF...he'll overperform it before the end of the season.


Minor leaguers on the cusp to watch

Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Athletics - Projects as 30/30 talent...will be up by June 1st.

Colby Rasmus, OF, Cardinals - the hype has died down since he didn't make the team out of Spring. But he'll be up before long. Don't forget about him. Same, if not more potential than Gonzalez.

Carlos Carrasco, SP, Phillies - not the best pitching prospect available, but still a pretty good one. The important point here is that he's Plan B after Adam Eaton and Kris Benson, neither of whom are locks to hold down rotation spots. Could be up by June 1st.

Gio Gonzalez, SP, Athletics - best strikeout potential of any pitcher on the cusp in the minors right now.

David Price, SP, Rays - Best pitching prospect in baseball...may not get there quite this year, but just in case he does, you want him...especially in keeper leagues.

[Holes]

Guys to keep an eye on in weeks to come

Adam Jones, OF, Orioles - big time five-tool potential. If he's still available in your league, get him and stash him now.

Michael Bourn, OF, Astros - the next Juan Pierre

Lastings Milledge, OF, Nationals - it's probably a little late...you could have probably got him late in the draft, or early on immediately after. If for some reason he's available, though, pick him up because he's in store for a big year.

Nick Blackburn, SP, Twins - the only caveat here is his rotation spot isn't set yet, but I expect him to continue to hit the ground running. Has some great potential.

Aki Iwamura, 2B/3B, Rays - I wouldn't add him yet, but I 'd keep tabs. People seem to have forgot he was a solid option last year before he got hurt. Could be a steal if you're weak at 2B or 3B.

Jack Cust, OF, Athletics - Very under the radar, cheap source of power. Add him as a 5th OF...he'll overperform it before the end of the season.


Minor leaguers on the cusp to watch

Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Athletics - Projects as 30/30 talent...will be up by June 1st.

Colby Rasmus, OF, Cardinals - the hype has died down since he didn't make the team out of Spring. But he'll be up before long. Don't forget about him. Same, if not more potential than Gonzalez.

Carlos Carrasco, SP, Phillies - not the best pitching prospect available, but still a pretty good one. The important point here is that he's Plan B after Adam Eaton and Kris Benson, neither of whom are locks to hold down rotation spots. Could be up by June 1st.

Gio Gonzalez, SP, Athletics - best strikeout potential of any pitcher on the cusp in the minors right now.

David Price, SP, Rays - Best pitching prospect in baseball...may not get there quite this year, but just in case he does, you want him...especially in keeper leagues.

K.C.,
Nice list.
But, I think you forgot the best guy in the minors right now...Evan Longoria, who because of money issues was sent down in the first place, should be up before long. And if potential pans out should be this years Ryan Braun.

[Snacks]

K.C.,
Nice list.
But, I think you forgot the best guy in the minors right now...Evan Longoria, who because of money issues was sent down in the first place, should be up before long. And if potential pans out should be this years Ryan Braun.

i agree longoria will be a monster, but ryan braun type rookie seasons do not happen often. if he hits 15 home runs it will be good, but i think he could hit 20 but that may be a stretch.

i personally look forward to jay bruce getting the call up. he has been compared to larry walker and i think he deserves the comparison.

[K.C.]

My assumption was that both Longoria and Bruce are already gone pretty much every league. No reason either should be on the waiver wire.

[underdog]

Another trade offer, he's still trying to get Beckett from me. My team is so bad its amazing.

·Anderson, Brian N. CF CHW
·Hessman, Mike 1B DET
·Nolasco, Ricky SP FLA
·Thompson, Daryl SP CIN

for

·Beckett, Josh SP BOS
·Valverde, Jose RP HOU

[underdog]

Nevermind that trade. I was getting raped on that one.

So I sent back an offer of : Josh Beckett,Jose Valverde for Ryan Garko,Jair Jurrjens,Scott Olsen,Felix Pie and got angrily rejected.

Maybe he'll stop trying to get Beckett from me now.